>
This book is published by Liberty Fund, Inc., a foundation established to encourage study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.
The cuneiform inscription that serves as our logo and as a design element in Liberty Fund books is the earliest-known written appearance of the word “freedom” (amagi), or “liberty.” It is taken from a clay document written about 2300 B.C. in the Sumerian city-state of Lagash.
© 1983 by Charles S. Hyneman and Donald S. Lutz
Margin notes have been moved from the margin of the paragraph in the print edition to precede the paragraph in this eBook, in a smaller font.
This eBook edition published in 2013.
eBook ISBNs:
Kindle 978-1-61487-012-8
E-PUB 978-1-61487-130-9
AMERICAN
POLITICAL WRITING
DURING THE
FOUNDING ERA
1760–1805
TABLE OF CONTENTS
[1] ABRAHAM WILLIAMS, An Election Sermon, BOSTON, 1762
General principles of government
[2] T.Q., AND J., [Untitled], BOSTON, 1763
Separation of Powers
[3] U., [Untitled], BOSTON, 1763
State of nature, and violence in civil society
[4] [ANONYMOUS], [Untitled], BOSTON, 1764
Public virtue and self-government
[5] PHILO PUBLICUS, [Untitled], BOSTON, 1764
Frugality
[6] STEPHEN HOPKINS, The Rights of Colonies Examined, PROVIDENCE, 1764
Relationship of American colonies to Britain
[7] AEQUUS, From the Craftsman, BOSTON, 1766
Relationship of colonies to Britain
[8] RICHARD BLAND, An Inquiry into the Rights of the British Colonies, WILLIAMSBURG, 1766
Legal relationship of colonies to Britain
[9] BRITANNUS AMERICANUS, [Untitled], BOSTON, 1766
Relationship of colonies to Britain
[10] THE TRIBUNE, No. xvii, CHARLESTON, 1766
Public virtue and freedom
Popular consent and the relationship of the colonies to Britain
[12] DANIEL SHUTE, An Election Sermon, BOSTON, 1768
Why government needs a constitution and what should be in it
The foundations of liberty in moral philosophy
[14] JOHN TUCKER, An Election Sermon, BOSTON, 1771
The origin, nature, and end of civil government
[15] THE PRECEPTOR, Vol. II. Social Duties of the Political Kind, BOSTON, 1772
The benefits of civil society
Slavery
Justifies breaking with Britain
[18] [DANIEL LEONARD] MASSACHUSETTENSIS, To All Nations of Men, BOSTON, 1773
Uses state of nature argument to justify break with Britain
Opposition to it based on religion and practicality
[20] CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, Appeal to the Inhabitants of Quebec, PHILADELPHIA, 1774
The foundations of a free people
Contrasts the slavish spirit with the freedom-loving spirit
[22] NATHANIEL NILES, Two Discourses on Liberty, NEWBURYPORT, MASSACHUSETTS, 1774
The origin, nature, and consequences of liberty